(15 Jan 2022, 6:11 pm)Adrian I live on an Arriva Durham dominated corridor, so I could probably write a book about an unreliable and poor service over the last 8 years. Sadly that is who the principal operator is, and best will in the world, I've got no control over it.
I don't think its good feeling stressed out about public transport, and clearly transport operators have a lot to do in improving public confidence up to a level where that people *want* to use buses, but having a personal policy of completely avoiding one operator and expecting another to run services instead, isn't the answer. You need a reality check if you think that's going to happen. I don't like the fact that TPE are the only operator running between Newcastle and Manchester directly, but I don't expect an open access operator to take pity on me and run the route in competition.
If you think there's a chance a bus might not turn up or might run late, then plan your route to get you somewhere earlier than you need to be. It's your responsibility to get to somewhere on time, and in purchasing a ticket with any operator, you're accepting that it's not their responsibility.
I am fortunate to have access to a number of different operators, despite Stagecoach being the dominant player. There is no difference is walking for less than half an hour up to 1 hour for a particular bus than staying over somewhere else where there is a bus, or walking to or from town when a particular service is available to offer cheaper fares. Walking is healthy and its not like I'm walking miles for a bus (I couldn't, I looked into that when I was volunteering in Byker due to how much it was costing in bus fares and the 12 changing drivers at Byker Metro on my afternoon journey home). Luckily, I have a choice and I've made a good, healthy choice which I am far happier with and that's what's important, being happy and comfortable with my transport and not missing the stress of before with Stagecoach. With regards to GNE being cheaper, I no longer volunteer at Souter Lighthouse (hence saying I used to) and what I meant was I can't use the E1/E2 because it would be more expensive (currently £1.80 more expensive) whereas if there was a GNE option (which isn't unreasonable given the 20) it's covered by my ticket. My bad experience doesn't include South Shields journeys, just my ticket prevents it and my ticket choice is dictated by the best options in Newcastle.
All of the education, volunteering and paid employment I've lost is because I've taken full responsibility and been open and honest in saying I can't get there due to buses (Stagecoach late, Go North East 9n time = missed the GNE service) goes back to 2010 when I started using buses independently. You make it sound like an easy choice on a whim because I got a bit upset and overreacted, and then just took a disliking to my local, in theory but not in practice, convenient bus operator. GNE is better in many respects and I'm not the only person who holds that opinion, so even if the bus runs a little bit late it's worth the wait and they haven't cost me any opportunities and couldn't really because they are less frequent it takes more planning and responsibility.
Surely my travel choices are up to me and personally I think if a particular operator is running a service to a place they should run at least some of the buses there (Hexham is a good example, and likewise Arriva for Whitley Bay and for an unbiased review, arguably for Byker/Wallsend/Cobalt Stagecoach is the best ticket). Different operators isn't the best, as we don't really want to pay for all operators in case we end up wanting a particular service. Keeping/encouraging people using/to use the bus means it needs to be appealing (going through Newcastle then wherever else to reach Blaydon when I can get there directly by other means is not appealing, particularly when the SNE 6 makes it only a short walk to Blaydon and could easily serve it).
No idea why everyone on here takes issue with the fact I walk, just because it happens to be for a bus, think of it as walking for positive mental health, when it's just the same as staying over somewhere or walking for leisure or pleasure. Does nobody think it was hard enough to make the decision? Even the fact I'm happier and don't regret it means nothing, I should just suffer because people think I should use Stagecoach because it exists. For 16 years I haven't used Arriva, but nobody cares about that because Arriva doesn't really do much (arguably neither does Stagecoach of you enjoy the scenery on a GNE journey and sometimes a bit of a walk). Genuinely the fact I even walk in rain and snow to avoid detrimental mental health issues should highlight I'm serious about the problems and not avoiding something to be awkward. Best thing is, at least I'm consistent and I stick to my word. Stagecoach was and is shit and lost custom. Actions have consequences and so they should! Vandalised interiors on SNE are not pleasant to see and there should be consequences. I take responsibility, bus companies (even the super crap GCT) don't! Trust me, I'm not a biased customer and have complained about every operator there is, bar A-line and Henry Cooper I've hardly/not yet used.
